Part 19 (1/2)
Bodger went on netting aatching the boat out of the corner of one eye as it was rowed smartly up to the harbour steps, where the oars were turned up; and leaving the youth with hi out with one of the lance at the crippled sailor, who touched his hat, and then went along towards the town
”Yes, that's it,” said the sailor to hi landed to-night as sure as er”
The thinker lance down on the boat and her crew, his eyes dwelling longest upon the young officer, who had taken out a san to exa lad too What's their gaether ”They'll be up to soster's uniforame or another Strikes ht a tartar Just what they'd like to do--shy half a dozen old bakes' tails at his blue and white jacket I ht say a word to hi monkeys too, and--look at that now!--if that arn't Master Aleck's boat co round the pynte! They sees it too--bless 'em! Now they'll be arter him, safe That'll save the middy, but it won't save Master Aleck Strikesaway and clear the decks for action”
To hi off the fender, and stuffing his partly-made net and twine, with stirrup,up the neck with a piece of yarn
But his eyes were busy the while, and he watched all that went on, Aleck's boat running in fast, the boys whispering together, their leader sending off a couple towards the town end of the pier, and eliciting theJeht?
Well, if we are he arn't going to tackle two on 'e to see fair with ”
By the tiht out this observation it was tireat -posts, the flattest-topped one by preference Hoas done was a puzzle, and it drew forth the observations of the cutter's crehile the e shouted ”Bravo!” But somehow or other, by the use of his hands and a peculiar hop, Toht himself up perpendicularly upon the top of the post, steadied himself with his stick, and then held his head aloft
That was enough Aleck was near enough in to recognise the figure and coht and ready, my lad Steer for here”
CHAPTER TEN
Aleck ran his boat close in behind the cutter after lowering the sail so close that it touched the nity
”Hi, you, sir!” he shouted ”Mind where you're going with that boat”
”All right,” replied Aleck, coolly enough ”I won't sink you”
”Hang his insolence!” muttered the middy; and as Tom lowered himself from the post and then went, rock-hopper fashi+on, down the steps and boarded the boat, the young officer gave Aleck a supercilious stare up and down, taking in his rough every-day clothes and swelling hi uniform
Aleck felt nettled, drew hi a si naval officer
”Whose boat's that, boy?” said the latter, haughtily
”Mine,” was Aleck's prompt reply ”What shi+p's that, middy--I don't mean the cutter, of course?”
”Well, of all the insolence--” began the lad ”Do you know, sir, that you 's officers like that?”
”No, I didn't know it,” said Aleck, coolly ”I thought you were only a midshi+pman Are you the captain?”
”Why, con--”
”Look out!” cried Aleck, giving the speaker a sharp push which nearly sent hi a wet dockfish full on the cheek, the unpleasantly foul object whizzing between the lads'